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MURRAY, Ky. 鈥� Andriah Hawthorne, a senior communication disorders student from Paducah, Kentucky, has been chosen as one of 40 participants in this year鈥檚 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Minority Student Leadership Program in Seattle, Washington. 

This prestigious program aims to recruit and support minority students who have been historically underrepresented in audiology and speech-language pathology.

Selected from a competitive pool of 260 applicants, Hawthorne is one of only four undergraduate students admitted to the program; the other 36 are PhD or master鈥檚 students.

Hawthorne's journey to this opportunity began in April, with notification of her selection arriving in August. 

Dr. Alison Brown, assistant professor from the Center for Communication Disorders (CDI), said this program is tailored to foster leadership in students. 

鈥淎ndriah already possesses exceptional leadership skills,鈥� Brown said. 鈥淭his program will enhance her discipline-specific leadership skills, empowering her professional growth.鈥�

Expressing her excitement, Hawthorne noted the importance of networking during this pivotal time in her graduate school application process. 

鈥淚鈥檓 a little nervous, but I鈥檓 looking forward to making connections with students from other institutions who share my passion for the field,鈥� Hawthorne said.

During the six-day program, Hawthorne will collaborate with peers to present research gathered throughout experience and work alongside professionals to gain valuable hands-on knowledge. 

Dr. Stephanie Schaaf, chair of the Center for Communication Disorders, said she is thrilled when students are recognized for their accomplishments at any level, but especially nationally. 

鈥淭he faculty work hard to ensure our students are well-prepared and well-rounded professionals and we would confidently put our students on the national stage because that is the level they are consistently performing at,鈥� Schaaf said. 鈥淪tudents pursuing a career in speech-language pathology or audiology are intellectually strong, but oftentimes it is their exceptional interpersonal and professional skills that set them apart.鈥�

In response to Hawthorne receiving this honor, Brown said Hawthorne is tenacious, both about her future as a speech-language pathologist and diversifying the field. 

鈥淭hrough her position as president and founding member of the CDI Diversity Council, she has worked diligently to recruit students of all backgrounds to major in communication disorders,鈥� Brown said. 鈥淪he combines vision with pragmatism, not only generating innovative ideas, but putting the work in to accomplish them.鈥�

For more information about the Center for Communication Disorders, visit.